New Englanders can now see the gory details

If the state of the world economy isn't ugly enough, you can now oogle the cost in dollars and pollution of the energy use in New England. This report shows consumption and costs of all fossil fuels such as home heating oil and gasoline, and resulting emissions. The information is based on publicly available data from federal and state sources. In 2006 New England spent $32.9 billion on imported fossil fuels. Environment Northeast (ENE) is a coalition of states in that region. ENE estimates '07 fossil fuel costs: approximately $35.7 billion. Recent drops in fossil fuel prices may offset the increased costs in the first half of 2008. However, New England's increase in fossil fuel spending between 2000 and 2007 was 108%. In 2000 fossil fuel expenditures represented 3.0% of total spending in New England's GDP. By 2007 this was an estimated 4.8%. ENE is pushing for more effective energy conservation. Wanna see the gory bits? Click here for New England Energy Trends & Policy Solutions. ENE threatens to publish this promise semi-annually, to track "progress," or not.